on December 19, 2016. !
Mary married Henry (Hank) Gottschalk, the love of her life, on May 13, 1939. Jobs were
hard to find at that time, but Mary found a job as a “Rosie the Riviter” at McClelland Air
Force Base in Sacramento. Shortly after that, Hank started a job at Diamond Match Mill
in Stirling City, CA, where they lived and raised their family for seventeen years.!
When the Stirling City mill closed in 1957, Hank was transferred to Diamond
International Lumber Mill in Red Bluff. While in Red Buff, Mary worked at the Diamond
International Pulp Mill for many years until she retired in 1980.!
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Henry (Hank) Gottschalk on June 18,
2002, after 63 years of marriage. in August of 2002, Mary moved to Tehama Estates
where she made her home for eleven years and made many friends. She moved to
Carmichael to live with her daughter and husband in 2013. In the early years at Tehama
Estates, she could be seen leading the exercises or conducting a bible study. She
attended Bethel Assembly of God church for over 55 years. Her faith and family were
the most important thing in her life. You seldom ever saw Mary without a big smile on
her face. She lit up the room when she entered. She loved people and people loved her
and were drawn to her because of God’s presence within her.!
Mary is survived by her two daughters: Connie (Marvin) Smoot and Donna Valentine,
her grandchildren: Charlene (Bill) Nickels, Stephanie Valentine, Andrew Valentine, Scott
(Donna) Smoot, Sam Valentine. She has 5 great grandchildren and one great great
grandchild.!
Mary was born to Francis and Pearl Brown on March 24, 1918 in Minnesota, the oldest
daughter of ten children. Her surviving siblings are: Edith Whitford, Betty Tucker, Merle
Brown, Wayne Brown and Annie Kienel. Predeceased siblings are: Harvey Brown, Paul
Brown, Stanley Brown and a twin that died at birth.!
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice, Carmichael, CA 95608 or Hospice, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
Burial will be at Stirling City, December 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Services: December 29, 2016 at 2:00
High Point Assembly of God Church
625 Luther Road
Red Bluff, CA"
Arrangements under the direction of Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers, Red Bluff, CA.
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